The On-Screen Advent Calendar 2012: Day Fourteen

TOP 5 GREATEST FESTIVE FILMS
As difficult as it may seem to believe it, Christmas Day is now just eleven days from gracing the world once again. Here at On-Screen, we're all for getting you in the festive mood these next few days, and one way we're doing that is by highlighting the best Christmas-themed movies on the market right now. Great Expectations and Nativity! 2 are both in cinemas right now, but this 'Top 5 Greatest Festive Films' shortlist focuses on the DVD and Blu-Ray films you can get ahold of right now...
5. HOME ALONE- A comedy hit of its time, Home Alone features a budding sense of humour and wonder in time for the seasonal festivities. In spite of its predictability, this is by all means a sublime festive watch for your enjoyment this Christmas.
4. THE POLAR EXPRESS- Tom Hanks provides a stunning portrayal of a number of new iconic characters in what turned out to be one of the surprise defining points of his career. Polar Express boasts dazzling special effects, a huge degree of heart and mystery and fantastic characterisations throughout, truly enforcing the emotions of love and hope so intertwined with this time of year.
3. LOVE ACTUALLY- Sporting perhaps the biggest celebrity cast of any Christmas film of all time, Love Actually rightfully remains one of the eternal greats of this seasonal genre. Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson and countless other British legends combined to bring us a comedy masterpiece with an absolutely masterful narrative of cunning and wits.
2. NATIVITY!- Martin Freeman headlined this sublime indie British Christmas comedy back in 2009, so it's well worth a watch before you see the big screen sequel with David Tennant out now. The kids performing improvisation here are great, and with Alan Carr and Jason Watkins getting hilarious camoes, this is a festive flick you will not want to miss!
1. THE MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL- In the end, this edition of Dickens' A Christmas Carol didn't end up getting its proposed cinema re-release, but as this is the 20th Anniversary of its release, you'd be well advised to take up the film again. The Muppets Christmas Carol flourishes with amazing song numbers, a beautifully adapted narrative and so much else, making it the definitive must-see festive film.